ScandAsia May 2020

Thai-Dane forced to shut down beloved restaurant in Laos

“All the money, blood, sweat, tears and hard work I have invested in Dexter have gone down the drain.

Dexter is like my baby,” says Savija Pannark. Photo: Savija Pannark.

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By Sofia Flittner

avija Pannark, a Thai-Danish woman living in Laos, is one of many people affected by the restrictions imposed by governments to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“When I realized I had to close Dexter because of the lack of tourist, logistic problems and a scared staff, I felt … acceptance. It was unfair, but I accepted it.

I couldn’t change the situation, no matter how much I wanted to,” says Savija Pannark.

But the Thai-Danish restaurant owner had already prepared herself emotionally for the inevitable as soon as Savija heard the news of the neighboring countries’ restrictions and measures to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus. Regarding her business Savija Pannark had informed the staff of Dexter in January that she would be forced to let half of them go. But the situation quickly turned from bad to worse during February and March.

“My staff feared contracting the virus, my suppliers 30 ScandAsia • May 2020

had already closed their stores and there was a significant decrease in customers by that time. Shortly after, there were no customers,” says Savija Pannark to ScandAsia.

And so on the 27 March Savija Pannark turned the key to her restaurant. Quickly the Thai-Dane began to worry about the future of Dexter.

“I began to worr y about when I could reopen Dexter again. If I ever could open Dexter again. And if I could… will it even pay off in the end?” wonders the Thai-Dane.

Because even though Dexter has shut down, Savija still has bills, several expenses and loans to pay – but with little to no income. So, the longer Dexter is closed, the more money Savija would have to invest in reopening her beloved establishment. Savija predicts that she won’t be able to reopen Dexter again due to the increasing uncertainty of the situation.

Savija’s dream-scenario would be that she could reopen Dexter – but Savija knows that it’s merely a dream.